Here Are the Articles of Impeachment Against Trump—and Why They Matter

House Democrats have officially accused President Trump of violating the U.S. Constitution by committing high crimes and misdemeanors. On Tuesday, Democratic leaders announced that they were filing two articles of impeachment against Trump: one for abuse of power by putting his political concerns over the national interest, and another for obstructing Congress’ attempts to investigate.

The articles claim that Trump acted "in a manner grossly incompatible with self-governance and the rule of law."

The announcement marks a momentous step forward in the months-long impeachment inquiry against the 45th president, which could result in only the third presidential impeachment in U.S. history. It stems from Trump’s documented attempts to pressure Ukraine to launch an investigation related to his 2020 opponent Joe Biden, which Democrats say was coupled with a threat to withhold military aid to the former Soviet state.

House Intelligence Committee Chairman Adam Schiff said that Democrats felt compelled to make this announcement now because of the threat that Trump could sway the results of the upcoming presidential race.

"The argument, 'why don't you just wait' amounts to this: Why don't you just let him cheat in just one more election? Why not let him cheat just one more time?" Schiff said, according to CNN.

Trump and his Republican allies in Congress have denied that the president did anything wrong by asking Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to investigate Biden’s son’s work for a Ukrainian oil company in a now-infamous July 25 phone call.

As Vox reported, the Democratically-controlled House is expected to vote on — and approve — impeachment next week. The GOP-dominated Senate will then hold a trial that determines whether Trump will be removed from office.

Trump has "abused the powers of the Presidency" by soliciting "the interference of a foreign government" in the 2020 election.

"President Trump engaged in this scheme or course of conduct for corrupt purposes in pursuit of personal political benefit. In so doing, President Trump used the powers of the Presidency in a manner that compromised the national security of the United States and undermined the integrity of the United States democratic process. He thus ignored and injured the interests of the Nation."

Trump has blocked Congress' attempts to subpoena documents from executive branch offices and testimony from current and former officials related to the Ukraine investigation.

"In the history of the Republic, no President has ever ordered the complete defiance of an impeachment inquiry or sought to obstruct and impede so comprehensively the ability of the House of Representatives to investigate 'high Crimes and Misdemeanors.' This abuse of office served to cover up the President's own repeated misconduct and to seize and control the power of impeachment — and thus to nullify a vital constitutional safeguard vested solely in the House of Representatives."